GAME REPORT

Pinar Karsiyaka secured top spot in Group I of the EuroChallengeLast 16 as they hung on for an 84-75 victory over BK Ventspils.

Karsiyaka built a big lead midway through the game and then hung on as a determined rally from Ventspils brought them right back in it by the end of the third period to set up a tense finish.

Karsiyaka began to take control early in the second period, with Justin Diebler scoring seven in a 13-0 run that powered them to a 38-20 lead on his three-pointer.

Akselis Vairogs and Donald Sims replied with threes for Ventspils but Umit Sonkol had also found his range from beyond the arc and hit back in kind, helping Karsiyaka build a 51-34 lead by half-time.

Abdul Aminu's lay-up stretched the advantage to 19 early in the third period but Ventspils quickly got a handle on matters and began a comeback.

The three-pointers rained in as Janis Timma, Arturs Berzins, Martins Meiers and Sandis Valters all hit from deep in a 15-2 run that cut it to 58-52 on Valters' three. Evren Buker replied with another three for Karsiyaka but Ventspils kept coming and Folarin Campbell's three-point play to start the fourth quarter cut it to 65-62.

Karsiyaka got the message and reeled off six unanswered points to make it 71-62 with 7:22 left in the contest and they held Ventspils at arm's length down the stretch.

Aminu led Karsiyaka with 16 points while Robert Dixon had 15 and Soner Senturk 13. Dibeler and William Thomas each finished with 10.

Sims led Ventspils with 16 points while Berzins had 12, and Meiers 11. Valters and Campbell added 10 each.

COACH QUOTES

"Pinar Karsiyaka played really good in the first two quarters. They were hitting threes at a high percentage. We lost the game but I'm proud of my players. We are a young team and to play in such a great atmosphere was a good experience."

Pinar Karsiyaka head coach Ufuk Sarica

"I am happy to win, take first place in the group and to qualify. This was one of our targets at the beginning of the season and we made it. Dixon's early fouls and Diebler's injury put us in a hard position but with my player's efforts we overcame [our opponent]."

BK Ventspils player Arturs Berzins

"Against a very tough team in a big atmosphere it was not easy to play. We tried to come back in the second half but it was not enough to break their rhythm."

Pinar Karsiyaka player Serkan Mentese

"In the first group in Cyprus I was in the press conference and I said we will be in the final four. Now we have one more step for it. Congratulations to my team mates and I appreciate our fans for tonight."

COACH QUOTES

"Pinar Karsiyaka played really good in the first two quarters. They were hitting threes at a high percentage. We lost the game but I'm proud of my players. We are a young team and to play in such a great atmosphere was a good experience."

Pinar Karsiyaka head coach Ufuk Sarica

"I am happy to win, take first place in the group and to qualify. This was one of our targets at the beginning of the season and we made it. Dixon's early fouls and Diebler's injury put us in a hard position but with my player's efforts we overcame [our opponent]."

BK Ventspils player Arturs Berzins

"Against a very tough team in a big atmosphere it was not easy to play. We tried to come back in the second half but it was not enough to break their rhythm."

Pinar Karsiyaka player Serkan Mentese

"In the first group in Cyprus I was in the press conference and I said we will be in the final four. Now we have one more step for it. Congratulations to my team mates and I appreciate our fans for tonight."